How MySuper Funds Performed Over The December 2016 Quarter

Did your employer choose your super fund for you? If so, chances are you have a MySuper Fund. Discover which ones delivered the highest returns over the December Quarter in 2016…

In their latest MySuper Statistics report, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) revealed the net returns of most MySuper funds over the December 2016 quarter (1 October – 31 December).

The risk level of the fund changes as the years go by. Typically, the fund will have a high allocation of growth assets when you’re young, but when you’re older it allocates more of your money to more defensive investments.

The general idea behind this strategy is to grow your nest egg when you’re young and be more protective of it as you age, because when you’re older because you’ll have less time for the fund to bounce back from any downturns such as a stock market crash. Returns are not guaranteed and this strategy isn’t for everyone.

Top 10 December Quarter Performers – Single Investment Strategy Funds

For MySuper funds with a single investment strategy, the average net return of the December 2016 quarter was 2.34%.

Out of the funds that are open to the public to join, these were the top 10 performers in order of net return:

MySuper product name

Fund name

Net return

MySuper

Prime Super

3.37%

NSF MySuper

Nationwide Superannuation Fund

3.29%

Balanced investment option (accumulation)

Media Super

3.15%

Core Pool

Health Employees Superannuation Trust Australia

3.02%

MySuper

MLC Super Fund

2.96%

General Division

Russell Investments Master Trust

2.95%

Woolworths Group MySuper

AMP Superannuation Savings Trust

2.94%

Statewide MySuper

Statewide Superannuation Trust

2.88%

MyCatholicSuper

MyLifeMyMoney Superannuation Fund

2.86%

Max Super MySuper

Max Super Fund

2.84%

Source: APRA. Excludes non-public offer funds.

You can also check out our snapshot of the current market offerings in the comparison table below. Please note that this table has been sorted by the annual cost at a $80,000 balance (lowest to highest), and the products featured are based on a policy holder aged between 30 and 39 years, with a super balance of up to $100,000.

Top 15 December Quarter Performers – Lifecycle Strategy Funds

Across all lifecycle strategy funds, the average net return of the December 2016 quarter was 2.05%.

Since each MySuper lifecycle product has a handful of different lifecycle funds, instead of displaying the top 10 lifecycle funds below, we’ve displayed the MySuper products that had one or more lifecycle funds achieving a net return of 3.00% or better.

Out of 210 lifecycle funds that reported their net returns to APRA, a total of 73 achieved a net return of 3.00% or better. We’ve listed these below (excluding non-public offer funds).

Top lifecycle strategy performers (net return of 3% or greater over December Quarter):

AON MySuper: 7 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

Aon MySuper High Growth: 5.04%

Aon MySuper 43: 4.78%

Aon MySuper 44: 4.52%

Aon MySuper 45: 4.26%

Aon MySuper 46: 4.00%

Aon MySuper 47: 3.74%

Aon MySuper 48: 3.48%

Aon MySuper 49: 3.22%

CCA MySuper: 2 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

CCA MySuper Future Directions High Growth: 4.66%

CCA MySuper Future Directions Growth: 3.97%

Colonial First State FirstChoice: 8 Lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

Lifestage 1995-99: 4.52%

Lifestage 1990-94: 4.50%

Lifestage 1985-89: 4.47%

Lifestage 1975-79: 4.46%

Lifestage 1980-84: 4.44%

Lifestage 1970-74: 4.25%

Lifestage 2000-04: 4.21%

Lifestage 1965-69: 4.19%

Anglican National MySuper: 2 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

ANS MySuper RIL High Growth: 4.38%

ANS MySuper RIL Growth: 3.55%

Local Government Super: 1 lifecycle fund achieved over 3.00%

MySuper Age_Based Investment Strategy High Growth: 4.07%

Sunsuper for Life: 7 lifecycle fund achieved over 3.00%

Age 54 and under: 3.84%

Age 55: 3.76%

Age 56: 3.62%

Age 57: 3.48%

Age 58: 3.33%

Age 59: 3.19%

Age 60: 3.04%

BT Business MySuper: 4 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

MySuper 1970s LifeStage: 3.72%

MySuper 1980s LifeStage: 3.72%

MySuper 1990s LifeStage: 3.67%

MySuper 2000s LifeStage: 3.40%

Telstra Super MySuper: 2 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

MySuper Growth: 3.71%

MySuper Balanced: 3.02%

Australia Post MySuper: 3 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

Australia Post MySuper 1980s: 3.70%

Australia Post MySuper 1990s: 3.66%

Australia Post MySuper 1970s: 3.49%

AFLPA & AFL Industry MySuper: 3 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

AFLPA & AFL MySuper 1980s: 3.67%

AFLPA & AFL MySuper 1990s: 3.64%

AFLPA & AFL MySuper 1970s: 3.46%

AMP MySuper: 6 Lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

AMP MySuper 1980s: 3.59%

AMP SDF MySuper 1980s: 3.57%

AMP MySuper 1990s: 3.54%

AMP SDF MySuper 1990s: 3.54%

AMP MySuper 1970s: 3.38%

AMP SDF MySuper 1970s: 3.36%

Guild Retirement Fund (MySuper): 1 lifecycle fund achieved over 3.00%

Building: 3.55%

Westpac Group Plan MySuper: 3 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

MySuper 2000s Lifestage: 3.35%

MySuper 1990s Lifestage: 3.32%

MySuper 1980s Lifestage: 3.27%

MySuper 1970s Lifestage: 3.22%

Mercer SmartPath: 8 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

1969 to 1973: 3.12%

1974 to 1978: 3.12%

1979 to 1983: 3.12%

1984 to 1988: 3.12%

1989 to 1993: 3.02%

1994 to 1998: 3.02%

ANZ Smart Choice Super: 2 lifecycle funds achieved over 3.00%

ANZ Smart Choice Super 1990s: 3.11%

ANZ Smart Choice Super 1980s: 3.04%

Below, we report the top performers of the December 2016 quarter for both of these strategies. Do note, though, that past performance is no guarantee of future performance and shouldn’t be solely relied on as a reason for choosing a super fund. Check Canstar’s superannuation methodology for information on factors that Canstar considers when deciding on funds that represent outstanding value at various life stages.

Superannuation products displayed above that are not 'Sponsored' are sorted as referenced in the introductory text to the table. Canstar may receive a fee for referral of leads from these products. See How We Get Paid for further information. Products displayed above do not include all products/providers and may not include all features relevant to you. Please note that all information about performance returns is historical. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance; unit prices and the value of your investment may fall as well as rise.

Performance information shown is for historical periods up to 31/12/2018 and investment options noted in the product information. Performance figures shown reflect net investment performance, i.e. net of investment tax, investment management fees and the maximum applicable ongoing management fees and membership fees. Performance information is provided by Rainmaker Information Pty Ltd ABN 86 095 610 996 AFSL 461816 (www.rainmaker.com.au) which provides general information on superannuation. Performance data may not be available for some products. This is indicated in the tables by a note referring the user to the product provider, or by no performance information being shown.

Any advice on this page is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not a recommendation for your particular circumstances. Consider whether this advice is right for you. Consider the product disclosure statement before making a purchase decision. You may need financial advice from a qualified adviser.

Performance, fee and other information displayed in the table has been updated from time to time since the rating date and may not reflect the products as rated. The performance and fee information shown in the table is for the investment option used by Canstar in rating of the superannuation product.

Investment returns of superannuation products: Canstar considers the annual investment returns of a product’s default investment option, including the default life-stage option where applicable. Where a product does not have a default investment option, annual returns for the investment option with the highest funds under management (FUM) and a 60-80% growth asset allocation are used.

Annual cost includes administration fees and indirect costs (including the investment fee, performance fee where applicable, and any other indirect management costs). This cost is calculated based on the super balance specified and the investment option considered in the 2018 Superannuation Star Ratings, which is the default investment option (including default life-stage options). Where a product does not have a default investment option, annual fees for the investment option with the highest FUM and a 60-80% growth asset allocation are used.

Products marked as 'Sponsored' are paid advertisements and Canstar receives a fee for referring you to the advertiser. Canstar is not giving you financial advice in relation to Sponsored products.

Please note that all information about performance returns is historical. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance; unit prices and the value of your investment may fall as well as rise.

Canstar is an information provider and in giving you product information Canstar is not making any suggestion or recommendation about a particular insurance product. If you decide to apply for an insurance product, you will deal directly with an insurance provider, and not with Canstar. Premiums and product information should be confirmed with the relevant insurance provider. For more information, read the product disclosure statement (PDS), Canstar’s Financial Services and Credit Guide (FSCG), detailed disclosure, important notes and liability disclaimer.

The inclusions mentioned represent a selection of what is covered at the time of writing. Additional terms and conditions may apply to different features. Additional fees may apply to the product. Please ensure that you read the product disclosure statement to determine all the current options and inclusions for the product you are considering.

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you. Consider the product disclosure statement before making a purchase decision. Canstar provides an information service. It is not a credit provider, and in giving you information about credit products Canstar is not making any suggestion or recommendation to you about a particular credit product. Statistics referenced on this page have been verified by Canstar Research. Research provided by Canstar Research AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 437917.